Saturday, August 12, 2017

Saturday Morning Hot Links

The Dallas Rangers of North Oak Cliff beat the Astros 6-4 last night, carrying some sort of hangover to Arlington. The Astros are 71-44. Seattle lost, so the division lead is now 13 games over both the Mariners and the Angels. There are 47 games remaining.

*It's the Astros' first four-game losing streak of the season. The Astros have lost their last six road games. They've lost eight of their last ten games, and 11 of their last 15. Having lost nine games in July, the Astros are 2-8 in August.

*Charlie Morton got roughed up in the 3rd inning, allowing 4ER on the following:
Walk
Single
Morton error
Single
Single
Strikeout
Strikeout
Single
Strikeout

*Joe Musgrove, since moving to the bullpen: 12IP, 7H/1ER, 14K:1BB. 72% of pitches for strikes.

*Altuve represented the go-ahead run at the plate with two outs in the ninth, but watched an off-speed pitch cross the plate to strike out looking. Altuve:I thought it was a ball, but it was a strike. Now tomorrow I have to apologize to the umpire.

*Springer hit a two-run home run in the 8th, his 28th of the season. Springer:Obviously, I want to be able to play and perform, so I just have to get back out there and get my game eyes back and help the team. *Alex Bregman hasn't struck out since July 30, a span of 51 plate appearances. *MLB.com did a nice thing and talked about the worst stretches of the season endured by teams that went on to win the World Series - like the Cardinals, who had two eight-game losing streaks in their World Series year of 2006.

*Jose Abreu had a traditional Cuban meal waiting for Yuli Gurriel when he got to the clubhouse in Chicago last week. Abreu:I know the importance - and how difficult the adaptation process to this league and this country can be. Being able to find a little taste of our culture in the places we go is very important and reminds us of home. That is why I always try to help my fellow countrymen and make them feel comfortable here.

3 comments:

I 100% agree with O'dowd. But the team out there on the field isn't the same team that won 50 games pre-All Star break. Injuries and a fatigued bullpen have ran this team into the ground. Devo is struggling with his command? He's struggling with his command because he's tired and needs a vacation. I know Springer is back, but that +160 run diff is meaningless when the guys that created that differential are on the DL. Bregman is hitting much better, but where did Yuli go? It's just not the same team. They are depleted and demoralized and whether we like it or not, and no matter what side you are on, there is an underlying problem when the team and the front office are so divided and that can't be ignored..

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